Introduction to Active Suspension Systems

A new partnership aims to make a comfort feature generally available only in luxury vehicles, smaller and less expensive enough to be offered in more affordable models. That feature is called active suspension. As opposed to what’s known as passive suspension using shock absorbers and springs, active suspension does a better job absorbing road bumps and other inconsistencies and providing a quieter ride using electronic components and sensors.

The Challenges of Active Suspension

The problem is, active suspension systems are heavier and more expensive. They also require 10-15 kilowatts of power, requiring large and heavy DC-to-DC power converters. But a partnership between Andover, Massachusetts-based Vicor and Chinese tech firm Xiamen Hongfa Electroacoustic Co., Ltd., better known as Hongfa, is combining their expertise to solve those issues, the companies announced Wednesday.

The Solution: Compact and Efficient Active Suspension

Hongfa has designed the smallest and lightest active suspension system on the market by combining a 48V architecture and high-density power modules. Four Vicor fixed-ratio BCM6135, 800V-to-48V DC-DC bus converters are used to convert high voltage to 48V and route power to each wheel. Hongfa, a leading manufacturer of power relays, developed a compact, lightweight active suspension system using much less power by incorporating high-density, small, lightweight power modules produced by Vicor.

Key Features of the New Active Suspension System

The Hongfa active suspension system is liquid cooled and is the most compact on the market, weighing 2.6kg and measuring 197 x 201 x 71mm, according to the company. The concept leverages the 48 volt networks replacing 12 volt systems in today’s electrified vehicles aimed at improving efficiency and reducing vehicle size and weight. It’s a power level considered safe for anyone servicing a vehicle, and also allows a major reduction in the size of active suspension system actuators.

How the System Works

The vehicle’s 800 volt battery provides current when the vehicle travels over smooth road surfaces, and the suspension actuation motor is the 48 volt load. When the vehicle travels over a bumpy road, the linear motors in the suspension system momentarily become generators, which increase the voltage on the low side of the converter. This difference in voltage reverses the direction of current flow. The 800V battery then momentarily becomes the load and recovers energy by charging through its battery management control system.

Benefits of the New Active Suspension System

The results could mean a benefit for EV drivers looking to squeeze more driving range from their vehicles’ batteries. “You get a small range increase because of the weight decrease, but also because of the power regeneration, recapturing the power,” said Greg Green, director, automotive marketing at Vicor. Essentially any suspension event, you’re only consuming three to 4% of the total power that was put in, and then 96% or so gets put back into the battery.

Conclusion

The new active suspension system developed by Vicor and Hongfa has the potential to revolutionize the automotive industry by providing a more efficient, compact, and cost-effective solution for luxury and mid-luxury vehicles. With its ability to regenerate power and reduce energy consumption, this system could become ubiquitous across a wider vehicle price range within the next 15 years.

FAQs

• Q: What is active suspension and how does it differ from passive suspension?
  A: Active suspension uses electronic components and sensors to absorb road bumps and provide a quieter ride, whereas passive suspension uses shock absorbers and springs.
• Q: What are the benefits of the new active suspension system developed by Vicor and Hongfa?
  A: The new system is more compact, efficient, and cost-effective, and has the ability to regenerate power and reduce energy consumption.
• Q: When can we expect to see the new active suspension system in production vehicles?
  A: The first use of the active suspension system incorporating Vicor and Hongfa technology is expected to reach consumers around the end of 2026 or 2027, mainly in luxury and mid-luxury vehicles.
• Q: Will the new active suspension system be affected by import tariffs?
  A: The impact of import tariffs is expected to be minimal, as Vicor ships its U.S.-made power modules to Hongfa, which builds the finished product.

Introduction to the Shifting Cybersecurity Landscape

The cybersecurity landscape is shifting fast, with the surge in AI adoption, rising demand for data sovereignty, and political turbulence rattling global trust in U.S.-based tech. Security leaders are being pulled in multiple directions, navigating a storm of change rather than steady waters. The question now is not how to stop disruption, but how to prepare for what comes next.

From Roadblocks to Runways: The AI U-Turn

Not long ago, the knee-jerk response to generative AI in the workplace was to ban it outright. CISOs blocked tools like ChatGPT, fearing data leaks, compliance violations, or worse. However, within months, organizations began walking back the bans and started asking how to use AI responsibly. Kevin Simzer, chief operating officer at Trend Micro, shared a firsthand experience where, at a CISO roundtable just nine months ago, every single participant was trying to block AI tools, but now 97% of them are leveraging AI. This shift underscores how fast attitudes are changing.

The conversation today is about sanctioned AI tools, corporate guardrails, and strategies for safe deployment. Companies realized the competitive cost of saying “no” to AI, as it can boost productivity, speed up decision-making, and automate grunt work. However, this also raises concerns about the talent pipeline, as AI threatens to hollow out the early-career ranks.

Automation’s Hidden Price: What Happens to the Talent Pipeline?

While AI promises efficiency, it also threatens to replace entry-level developers with code-generating bots, potentially hollowing out the early-career ranks. If AI filters out basic SOC alerts, where do future Tier 2 analysts come from? Simzer echoed this concern, citing Google’s transformation, where 25% of all code submitted into production in Q4 was AI-generated, and by the end of Q1 it was 30%. This raises questions about what happens when foundational learning experiences disappear.

The Rise of Data Sovereignty

A parallel shift is gaining momentum across the globe: data sovereignty. Countries and companies want more control over where their data lives and who can access it. This is not just about compliance but about national security and strategic independence. Organizations are rethinking whether they want sensitive data flowing through U.S. hyperscalers or stored in data centers subject to American jurisdiction. The demand for flexible deployment models, including on-prem solutions that can operate completely outside U.S. influence, is climbing sharply.

When Trust Wavers: The Global Fallout of U.S. Policy Chaos

The growing mistrust in U.S. government policy, including export bans and trade disputes, adds to the complexity. The MITRE CVE funding scare sent shockwaves through the security community, raising questions about who can be trusted to maintain digital infrastructure. Stories about the U.S. government having a “kill switch” capability for F-35 fighter jets sold to allies are prompting countries to reassess their tech dependencies.

Guardrails, Not Walls

Cybersecurity leaders are left in a moment of strategic reckoning. They cannot afford to say no to innovation but also cannot ignore the risks. The answer is balance, building systems that allow for AI adoption with transparency and oversight, and infrastructure that can flex between cloud and on-prem to meet sovereignty and compliance needs.

The Road Ahead: Resilience by Design

If 2023 was about waking up to disruption, then 2025 is about adapting to it. Resilience is no longer a buzzword but a survival trait. This means being agile enough to pivot when policies shift, architecting flexibility into the tech stack, and keeping a firm grip on who controls data, workflows, and destiny. Cybersecurity has always been about anticipating threats, but now it also has to be about anticipating change and being ready for whatever comes next.

Conclusion

The cybersecurity landscape is at an intersection of cloud infrastructure, AI code, and geopolitical maps, symbolizing the complex crossroads of innovation, sovereignty, and global risk. To navigate this landscape, organizations must be prepared to adapt, balance innovation with risk, and prioritize resilience by design.

FAQs

• Q: What is the current state of AI adoption in the cybersecurity landscape?
  A: The current state is one of rapid shift, with organizations moving from banning AI tools to embracing them with sanctioned use and corporate guardrails.
• Q: How does AI adoption impact the talent pipeline in cybersecurity?
  A: AI adoption threatens to hollow out early-career ranks by automating entry-level tasks, potentially eroding foundational skills.
• Q: What is driving the demand for data sovereignty?
  A: The demand is driven by concerns over national security, strategic independence, and compliance, prompting organizations to seek more control over their data.
• Q: How can cybersecurity leaders navigate the geopolitical complexities and mistrust in U.S. policy?
  A: By prioritizing flexibility, transparency, and oversight in their tech stack and deployment models, and staying informed about global policy shifts.
• Q: What does resilience by design mean in the context of cybersecurity?
  A: It means architecting systems and processes to be agile, adaptable, and responsive to change, ensuring the ability to pivot when policies shift or new threats emerge.

AI and automation for impact are revolutionizing the business world, transforming the way companies operate, make decisions, and interact with customers. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the current state of AI in business, its benefits and challenges, and what the future holds for this technology. From enhanced efficiency to improved customer experiences, AI is poised to drive significant growth and innovation in the years to come.

Understanding AI and Its Applications in Business

AI refers to the development of computer systems that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as learning, problem-solving, and decision-making. In business, AI is being used in a variety of ways, including chatbots, predictive analytics, and process automation. These applications are enabling companies to streamline operations, reduce costs, and improve customer engagement.

Types of AI Used in Business

There are several types of AI being used in business, including narrow or weak AI, general or strong AI, and superintelligence. Narrow AI is designed to perform a specific task, such as image recognition or language translation, while general AI is more advanced and can perform a wide range of tasks. Superintelligence refers to AI that is significantly more intelligent than humans and has the potential to revolutionize numerous industries.

Benefits of AI in Business

The benefits of AI in business are numerous and well-documented. AI can help companies improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance customer experiences. It can also provide valuable insights and enable data-driven decision-making. Additionally, AI can help businesses stay competitive and adapt to changing market conditions.

The Current State of AI in Business

AI is being used in a variety of industries, including healthcare, finance, and retail. In healthcare, AI is being used to analyze medical images, diagnose diseases, and develop personalized treatment plans. In finance, AI is being used to detect fraud, predict market trends, and optimize investment portfolios. In retail, AI is being used to personalize customer experiences, optimize supply chains, and predict demand.

Challenges and Limitations of AI in Business

While AI has the potential to revolutionize numerous industries, there are also challenges and limitations to its adoption. One of the biggest challenges is the need for high-quality data, which can be difficult to obtain and integrate. Additionally, AI systems can be biased and require significant expertise to develop and implement. Furthermore, there are concerns about job displacement and the potential for AI to exacerbate existing social inequalities.

Real-World Examples of AI in Business

There are numerous real-world examples of AI in business, including Amazon’s use of AI-powered chatbots to provide customer support, Walmart’s use of AI to optimize its supply chain, and Google’s use of AI to improve its search engine results. These examples demonstrate the potential of AI to drive significant growth and innovation in business.

The Future of AI in Business

The future of AI in business is exciting and rapidly evolving. As AI technology continues to advance, we can expect to see even more innovative applications and use cases. One area that holds significant promise is the use of AI in conjunction with other emerging technologies, such as blockchain and the Internet of Things (IoT). This convergence of technologies has the potential to create new business models, products, and services that we cannot yet imagine.

Emerging Trends and Technologies

There are several emerging trends and technologies that are likely to shape the future of AI in business. These include the use of edge AI, which enables AI processing to occur at the edge of the network, reducing latency and improving real-time decision-making. Another trend is the use of transfer learning, which enables AI models to be trained on one task and applied to another, reducing the need for large amounts of training data.

Preparing for the Future of AI in Business

To prepare for the future of AI in business, companies need to develop a strategic plan that takes into account the potential benefits and challenges of AI. This plan should include investments in AI research and development, as well as employee training and education. Additionally, companies need to ensure that they have the necessary infrastructure and data management systems in place to support AI adoption.

Conclusion

In conclusion, AI and automation for impact are transforming the business world, enabling companies to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance customer experiences. While there are challenges and limitations to AI adoption, the benefits are numerous and well-documented. As AI technology continues to advance, we can expect to see even more innovative applications and use cases. By understanding the current state of AI in business, its benefits and challenges, and what the future holds, companies can prepare for the significant growth and innovation that AI is poised to drive.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is AI and how is it used in business?

AI refers to the development of computer systems that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as learning, problem-solving, and decision-making. In business, AI is being used in a variety of ways, including chatbots, predictive analytics, and process automation.

What are the benefits of AI in business?

The benefits of AI in business are numerous and well-documented. AI can help companies improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance customer experiences. It can also provide valuable insights and enable data-driven decision-making.

What are the challenges and limitations of AI in business?

While AI has the potential to revolutionize numerous industries, there are also challenges and limitations to its adoption. One of the biggest challenges is the need for high-quality data, which can be difficult to obtain and integrate. Additionally, AI systems can be biased and require significant expertise to develop and implement.

How can companies prepare for the future of AI in business?

To prepare for the future of AI in business, companies need to develop a strategic plan that takes into account the potential benefits and challenges of AI. This plan should include investments in AI research and development, as well as employee training and education. Additionally, companies need to ensure that they have the necessary infrastructure and data management systems in place to support AI adoption.

What is the future of AI in business?

The future of AI in business is exciting and rapidly evolving. As AI technology continues to advance, we can expect to see even more innovative applications and use cases. One area that holds significant promise is the use of AI in conjunction with other emerging technologies, such as blockchain and the Internet of Things (IoT). This convergence of technologies has the potential to create new business models, products, and services that we cannot yet imagine.